Monday, 17 August 2015

Writing the "perfect" post

I remember reading Rachel Madden's post on this topic and just getting it, you know? It made so much sense to a fellow (recovering) perfectionist. I want to have the perfect post, a beautifully crafted manuscript of exquisite aesthetic value (getting my money's worth out of that thesaurus ;) ).

I'm almost drooling thinking about it. Sigh...


Perfectionism is a pretty lie. It reminds me of a South American Dart Frog. Those vibrant colours are gorgeous but they are oh so deadly, much like the toxicity of perfectionism I discussed a few weeks ago. 

So, if I can't write the perfect post what can I do? 

There's the usual tips, like breaking up dense text with pictures. You can see in my earlier posts that I didn't always add images but now Creative Commons is one of my bestest friends :)




But really this post is about not worrying and giving up the desire to be perfect. Sorry.


Let peace, rather than worry, rule your heart.

Collaboratively I bet we could write pages and pages of the little tips and tricks we know about blogging and writing a killer post. But how often do we say "don't worry about it?" I don't mean in that namby pamby blasé way but a down to earth, God centred plea to just stop worrying. Seriously. Stop. 

My second semester started a few weeks ago so my blog has gone on the backburner for a while. This is generally considered to be a reasonable thing to do but it's still been a nagging worry.

Instead of getting on with my studies I'm wasting energy worrying. I'm constantly justifying my actions and reminding myself why blogging can wait another day, another week (or two.. *cough*). But it feels like I'm letting someone down. I don't think it's a specific person, more likely that nasty idol of perfectionism

Me, hiding from the nasty idol. 

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3: 3-7)

Jesus came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). Through Him we are freed from those passions and pleasures and by working out our salvation (Philippians 2: 12) we become more like Him: righteous, holy and sanctified. 

My prayer: Lord, let us no longer be deceived but earnestly seek your face, to walk the narrow path and be filled and renewed by your Holy Spirit. 

God bless and have a wonderful week (or two/three/until I have a breather from study)! Oh and, as a moment by moment lesson in letting go, I accidentally lost half this post . . . half of my beautiful, exquisite post *sob.*

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Photo credit:
1. Image by Sascha Gebhardt. Used under CC license
3. Image by black panther. Public domain. 

Comments (32)

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Wow, this is good, and I appreciate your calling me out on my worship of that particular idol. God, help us to accept your grace for living this life to which you have called us.
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
I'm a recovering perfectionist too. I've lost a lot of time in my life because of the fact that if I couldn't get it perfect it left my motionless. Wonderful insights. Thanks for sharing.
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
Blogging I think is one of those things where you poor a lot of yourself in and form connections with others which can be very meaningful to you, it's also a place where you can gather a following and sometimes just the presence or the knowledge that there are others can trigger off perfectionism or other "worry-ful" states. Obviously the issue isn't about the blogging but something much deeper that needs to be addressed, for me I found it was my desire to feel liked and accepted. So glad you're getting on top of this.
My recent post When Friendship, Fun and Laughter is Good Medicine
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
Perfection is an illusion and whike we turn ourselves inside out, we never attain it. I have to remind myself daily of the greater grace and the freedom in Christ. Love your prayer...amen! #raralinkup
My recent post We Are Your Family {Real Conversations Series Finale}
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
Very true - and timely. I have found myself increasingly being very particular about my posts, as though they have to be the first and final word on whatever I'm writing on, and therefore I need to write everything at the highest possible standard.

This despite claiming not to be a perfectionist. Ha!

It is so, so easy to fall into trap after trap of placing our own worth in what we do rather than in Him.

(After reading this yesterday, I found myself easily typing up a piece that was imperfect, and I was content with it being that way - so thanks.)
My recent post Who's afraid of Jeremy Corbyn?
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
Mary Flaherty's avatar

Mary Flaherty · 501 weeks ago

How wonderful that you're learning this in your twenties. It took me twice as long to figure it out!
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
Such great thoughts! I am working on this too, and it's hard... Found you through Thought-Provoking Thursdays link-up!
My recent post Free Music for Focus & Contemplation - Steve Roach, Hearts of Space, Celtic, David Arkenstone, more, all legal! PLUS Country!
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
Nicely put! Perfectionism was never really a problem for me; I learned early the Clausewitz maxim that a good plan, violently executed immediately, is better than a perfect plan delayed.

Now, dealing with a terminal illness, that's even more the case. I write as well as I can, and I relate to people with all my heart, but there are occasional lapses...and I've learned to let them go.

The yoke is easy, the burden light; this isn't a contest.
My recent post A Human Oasis - #BlogBattle
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
MB, this recovering perfectionist welcomes you to Thought-Provoking Thursday! Hope you have a great semester. :)
My recent post But God
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
From one recovering perfectionist to another ... thank you for saying it so well!

Thanks, too, for linking up at Mondays @ Soul Survival!

Blessings,
Donna
My recent post “If you died tonight …?” August 20
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
Great post. I find sometimes I don't write because I can't come up with the perfect words. Thanks for sharing.
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
Without Him, we can do nothing, but with Him, all things are possible! Praise God that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Linked up with you at Still Saturdays -- hope you'll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
God bless,
Laurie

My recent post Where is God When You Walk Away?
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago
Half lost or found, it was a great post and thank you for the encouragement! Blessings to you...
1 reply · active 499 weeks ago

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